breathe # minsung

38

The next day, Minho wakes up with a splitting headache that feels like a drum pounding in his head. The pounding anxiety only intensifies as he remembers the wild night with his friends, trying to drown their worries in alcohol. Although the evening was filled with laughter and camaraderie, the morning aftermath hits them hard as they have to face the consequences of their actions.

As he shuffles into the living room where his friends slept, Minho can't help but groan, holding his throbbing head in his hands. His friends are still passed out, oblivious to the approaching practice that awaits them. Minho gently kicks Seungmin, trying to wake him up and remind him of the impending practice, but Seungmin dismisses the purple-haired boy, declaring that he'll catch up on practice the next day. Felix, barely conscious, murmurs that he's skipping practice too, and Hyunjin simply states that he's staying behind.

Minho rolls his eyes, knowing that he shouldn't be surprised. However, he also realizes that he can't afford to skip practice, no matter how appealing the idea may be at the moment. Mustering what little strength he has left, he drags himself into the kitchen and swallows two painkillers to ease the relentless headache.

Glancing at the clock, Minho sees that it's already 3 PM, and he feels like he's running out of time for practice, even though there are still a few hours left in the day. His perception is skewed due to the hangover, making him feel like the day is slipping away too quickly.

Despite the physical pain and the temptation to skip practice, Minho knows he has to pull himself together. After freshening up, he bids his friends goodbye, knowing he needs to face the reality of practice.

Before stepping out, he grabs a face mask and sunglasses, hoping to conceal his haggard appearance. However, Minho chuckles inwardly, knowing that his bright purple hair will still stand out like a beacon, giving away his condition to anyone who sees him.

Lazily, Minho gets into his car, munching on a granola bar he had grabbed for breakfast. The combination of the hangover and the bumpy car ride only worsens the pain, and Minho feels like tears could stream down his cheeks at any moment from the unbearable agony he's experiencing. Nonetheless, he drives toward the practice location, knowing that he has to push through the discomfort and fulfill his responsibilities as an athlete.

As Minho faces the consequences of their wild night, he starts to contemplate the importance of moderation and how the choices made in the present can significantly impact the future. He silently resolves to be more mindful of his decisions and find healthier ways to cope with stress and anxiety, understanding that seeking momentary relief in reckless behavior can lead to long-term consequences.

As Minho arrives at the practice location, the chaos outside seems to mirror the turmoil he's feeling inside. The paparazzi swarm around him, bombarding him with intrusive questions, while fans' excited screams blend with the hateful words of antis spewing homophobic slurs. All this attention and negativity weigh heavily on him, and he yearns for the comfort and support of his friends during this challenging time.

His head hung low, Minho enters the building and exchanges only a few words with the desk worker before making his way to the dance room. Exhaustion from the hangover, combined with the emotional toll of the situation, makes him feel drained and disheartened. The urge to retreat to anonymity is strong, longing for the days when he wasn't in the public eye, and none of this scrutiny and judgment existed.

Yet, the fear of how his parents will react when they find out through social media haunts him. He knows they may not handle the news well, and he dreads the confrontation. As a coping mechanism, he's been avoiding his phone, trying to shield himself from the overwhelming flood of reactions and opinions.